Chico councilman packin’ heat

An attendee at the last Chico City Council meeting was surprised to see Tom Nickell (pictured) carrying a gun. What she found “weird” became eerie when the councilman said he was “locked and loaded” over a proposal.

Nickell confirmed he indeed had a firearm, inconspicuously stowed in his fanny pack. He’s a CHP officer whose retirement doesn’t become official until July—so not only is he permitted to be armed, he said, he’s still considered active law enforcement.

As for the lock-and-load remark, it’s an expression commonly used on police shooting ranges, and he meant it only to convey readiness.